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Sun-drenched billionaire Kirk Kerkorian yesterday tried to wiggle his way into the driver’s seat of the Chrysler auction with a $4.5 billion bid that he said topped offers from powerful private equity firms despite being over $1 billion less.

Jerome York, Kerkorian’s right-hand man, fired off a letter yesterday to DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche and the company’s supervisory board offering to throw down a $100 million deposit to enter into exclusive negotiations with the company for 60 days.

If the deal falls apart, the 89-year-old Kerkorian will give up $25 million of the deposit and walk away.

DaimlerChrysler’s board is likely to review the offer but avoid entering into any exclusivity agreements, said a person close to the company.

Kerkorian is also seen by the company’s German leaders as a rabble rouser with little interest in operating companies, sources said.

Tracinda, Kerkorian’s investment vehicle, plans to “offer a substantial portion of equity in the company to the UAW as part of finding a solution to ever-rising healthcare costs,” the letter said.

While Kerkorian may have more cash to increase the bid, $4.5 billion is more than $1 billion below three offers submitted last Friday by hedge fund Cerberus Capital Management, Blackstone Group and Centerbridge Partners and Canadian auto-parts maker Magna International, according to people familiar with the auction.

In the letter, York and Kerkorian seem to take pot shots at the deep-pocketed private equity bidders saying they aren’t interested in owning the company for the long-term.

“The returns will not come quickly,” York said.

The board, which is being advised by J.P. Morgan, is said to be leaning towards a deal with Magna because the company has gained some union support and has indicated it wants to boost Chrysler’s auto-making operations.